Features of wood-aluminum windows

Windows based on wood and aluminum is not an easy combination of two beautiful and expensive materials, but also a well-thought-out practical idea. Each of the materials has strengths and weaknesses. There are several types of window systems, subdivided by the predominance of the base material: wood or aluminum.

The use of environmentally resistant aluminum on the outer frame and the wooden elements inside, giving them a beautiful appearance, make these products applicable in various interior and exterior styles.Often they are installed in office buildings and high-level business centers, apartments, private houses and cottages.

Aluminum is great for the appearance of modern buildings, but if necessary it can be painted for other exterior needs. The inner part of the window, consisting of wood, is very variable and, depending on the wood species used, can correspond to any interior, ranging from wall cladding to clapboard or the use of a small amount of wood and ending with expensive carved panels.

The combination of two materials with their own strengths and weaknesses helps to achieve excellent performance and aesthetic qualities. The main idea is to use a resistant to aggressive environment, but having weak thermal insulation qualities of aluminum for the exterior and wood that is vulnerable to moisture, but a good thermal insulator.

The positive features of wood-aluminum windows include the following items:

• Natural materials. Wood, like aluminum, is an environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances.
• Sound and heat insulation. The wooden part of the window provides effective heat saving and absorption of incoming and outgoing noise.
• Weather protection. Aluminum is highly resistant to all types of atmospheric phenomena: rain, snow, hail, hurricane wind and other misfortunes. Sunlight also does not harm him.
• Ventilation system. The design provides a special gap that provides the penetration of clean air to the wooden part, which lets it into the room in a natural way.
• Huge operational term. The aluminum frame will last for decades in conditions of hot summer and frosty winter. In the absence of impacts that go beyond natural, windows can be used for about 80 years.
• Easy care. The metal surface is not particularly clogged, and if necessary, it can be washed with detergents or wiped with a rag, as well as the inner wooden part.
• Great appearance. The external aluminum part of the windows fits well with the facade of the modern building, and the internal wooden component - into the interiors made in various styles with or without wood.

The relative disadvantage of wood-aluminum windows can be called their high price. It varies from 20 thousand rubles for the simplest variants of pine and rises to a level of 50 thousand and more with the use of oak or more valuable wood species.

Depending on the predominance of the material and the layout between them, there are three main types of windows made of wood and aluminum:

• Wood-aluminum. In this type, the entire frame is made of wood, and aluminum is used as an outer lining to protect the window from atmospheric phenomena. The metal part is fastened with special clips or mounted on glue.
• Aluminum-wooden. The frame in this window is made entirely of aluminum, the inside is trimmed with wood. The main problem of this design is an excessive amount of aluminum and a small amount of wood.As a result, during frost, aluminum freezes and cold bridges are formed on the border with the tree, which cannot compensate for the heat-insulating properties of the tree.
• Wood-polymer-aluminum. In such a construction, the problem with cold bridges is solved by means of a lintel made of polyamide several millimeters thick, located between the aluminum and wooden parts.

Production of structures in Russia is carried out in accordance with GOST, and they have only positive feedback.

The structure of such windows involves the complete separation of the aluminum (outer) and wooden (inner) parts into two separate doors. Between themselves, they are connected through a special mechanism that produces the simultaneous movement of two parts or their alternate opening. The core of this device is rigidly fixed on the outer flap and moves within a special metal comb attached to a wooden frame. The locking elements help to regulate the location of the sash and prevent its free movement under the influence of the wind. The outer frame is equipped with single-pane glass, which, on the client's request, can be complemented by tinting, UV protection, a mirror reflector or anti-shock reinforcement.

The internal frame is supplied with one-and two-chamber double-glazed windows. A large air pocket between them - about 20 cm wide - provides enhanced sound and heat insulation. The latter has the highest rates among all types of wood-aluminum windows. The weak sides of the Finnish model include a significant weight of the structure and the possibility of opening a window in only one plane.

This type is in many ways similar to the Finnish version, it consists of two separate frames in paired binding, but the distance between them is much smaller, which greatly facilitates the overall weight of the structure. The outer aluminum part is equipped with single glass, the inner one is equipped with double glazing. A characteristic feature is the possibility of opening a window in two planes.

The frame in the German model of wood-aluminum windows is one, made of wood, and outside it is protected by an aluminum lining. The window is equipped with one double-glazed window with two or three cameras. The security element is fixed by means of clips or glued directly onto the wooden frame. Fixing with clips assumes the presence of a small gap, which provides constant access of air to the wooden part.

This design provides not only free ventilation of the room, but also allows evaporation of moisture that has entered the room to the outside. Aluminum lining can be removed for bathing or replacing or for another purpose.

When you buy technology products that require special attention to quality standards, you should stop the choice of well-known manufacturers with a good reputation.

The design with a predominance of wood is especially popular in regions with a cold climate, where the high insulating qualities of the base material are most relevant. In addition, wood has a lower price, which makes this option more affordable.The price category of such windows starts from 9 thousand rubles per 1 sq. M. The protective aluminum lining is often painted with powder paint and can successfully fit into the exterior of a private house or cottage.

To the proven manufacturers include such firms:

• Unilux and Bayerwald - German windows of high quality, using only the best raw materials, full compliance with European quality standards.
• Gaulhofer - Austrian manufacturer, concise and strict design and high quality - these are the main features of the brand.
• Domus - Finnish company that manufactures windows for harsh climatic conditions. The manufacturer provides high quality and full warranty for the entire period of operation.
• "Metalist" and "YUKKO" - Russian companies producing wood-aluminum windows under a European license. The quality of the products is guaranteed by the full certification of products with a reasonable price.

The main frame is made of aluminum and has great durability. Thermal insulation properties of such windows are inferior to wood-aluminum and are used in regions with a more moderate climate.The inner part of the products is almost identical and made of wood. The main manufacturers represented on the Russian market include: Promprogress, Alyustek, Tekhnokom, Alda, Okna Master, AlyumStroyServis. The cost of such windows is higher due to the massive use of aluminum and ranges from 18.5 thousand rubles per 1 sq. Km. m

When choosing each type of product, there are certain markers that indicate quality, which are not completely obvious and may not be emphasized. Selecting wood-aluminum windows, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The quality of the weld in the aluminum part of the structure. If the lining is made under a certain type of windows, then they are likely to be cast or polished after welding, and the seam will be visually indistinguishable. The surface of such elements is distinguished by its perfect evenness and smoothness. The cost of products with such aluminum parts is above the average price. This does not mean that windows with noticeable welds are of poor quality. They are less technological, their strength is somewhat lower, and aesthetically, such designs do not look so nice.

• If you use separate aluminum parts to create a protective lining, then you need to carefully study the density of the junction of elements and the strength of the landing elements.
• An important detail is the internal wooden profile. The company producing this piece of solid timber will have 2-3, maximum 4 models of different profiles. This is due to the need to retool the line for a new format, which reduces production profits.
• Compactor. There are two options: rubber and silicone. Rubber has a better fit, easier to adjust the location and replacement of glass. Minus - it is black or white. From an aesthetic point of view, silicone favorably differs - it can be painted in any desired color.

An overview of wood-aluminum windows, see the video below.